Year 1 English report comments
Year 1 English is all about phonics, early writing and building confidence. These comments cover writing simple sentences, spelling with phonics, handwriting and the phonics screening check, at three levels of attainment.
15 example comments across 3 levels, plus 6 next steps. Type a name below to fill in every comment.
Working at greater depth / exceeding expectations
[Pupil] is a confident young writer who uses their phonics brilliantly to spell new words. They write several sentences in a row, using capital letters, full stops and finger spaces with care.
[Pupil] has made excellent progress in English this year. They love to write their own stories and choose interesting words to describe characters and settings.
[Pupil] applies their phonics knowledge accurately in both reading and writing. They join ideas with and, but and because, and reread their work to check it makes sense.
[Pupil] forms their letters correctly and their handwriting is neat and well spaced. They take real pride in their written work and are keen to share it.
[Pupil] speaks with confidence in class discussions and uses what they hear in stories in their own writing. Their sentences are clear and well punctuated.
Working at the expected standard
[Pupil] has worked hard in English this year and can write simple sentences using their phonics. Remembering capital letters and full stops every time is their next step.
[Pupil] enjoys writing and is growing in confidence. They sound out words carefully and are beginning to spell common exception words correctly.
[Pupil] uses finger spaces and is learning to start sentences with a capital letter. Practising letter formation at home will help their handwriting become more consistent.
[Pupil] has made good progress with phonics this year and uses their sounds to spell new words. Joining two ideas with and is something they are working on.
[Pupil] has lots of good ideas when talking and is learning to get them down on paper. Saying a sentence out loud before writing it will help.
Working towards the expected standard
[Pupil] is building their confidence in English and can write some words using their phonics with support. Practising sounds at home every day will make a big difference.
[Pupil] works hard in phonics sessions and is learning to blend and segment words. They are beginning to write simple captions and short sentences.
[Pupil] is developing their letter formation and is learning to sit letters on the line. Short, regular practice at home will help their handwriting.
[Pupil] has a positive attitude to writing and is happy to have a go. They are working on hearing the sounds in words and writing them in order.
[Pupil] receives extra support with phonics and is making steady progress. We will continue to build their confidence with reading and writing in Year 2.
Year 1 english next steps
Finish a comment with one specific, achievable target. Parents find these the most useful line in a report.
- Use a capital letter and full stop in every sentence.
- Leave finger spaces between words.
- Use phonics to spell new words, writing each sound in order.
- Join ideas with and to write longer sentences.
- Form letters correctly, starting in the right place.
- Say a sentence out loud before writing it, then reread it.
How to use these comments
Replace [Pupil] with the child's first name and adjust any detail that does not fit your class or school style. These comments are designed to be a solid starting point, not a finished product. The best report comments are the ones where you have added something specific about that child: a particular achievement, a moment you remember, a challenge they have worked through.
If you want to generate comments that are already specific to your pupils, Staffroom does exactly that. Add your notes about each child, choose a tone, and the comments it generates will be genuinely personal rather than adapted from a template.